Drought conditions are starting to persist across the Southeast region. In Florida, abnormally dry conditions are present across the north-to-northeast part of the state; as far west as Hamilton County, stretching to Nassau County. Dry conditions are present along the Atlantic Coast, stretching as far south as Brevard County and Indian River County. In Georgia, abnormally dry conditions are located …
Spotlight: Setting Strawberries up for Success
By Jeff Cook Growing quality plasticulture strawberries begins with an understanding of your soil and proper fertilization of the crop. Start with a Soil Sample A soil sample should be taken a minimum of two months prior to fumigation and bed formation. This is critical to be sure you have enough time to adjust the pH up to between 6.0 …
Don’t leave your success to chance: Place your bet on a solid crop protection strategy  
Specialty crop growers are high-stakes gamblers. Despite meticulous planning and vast experience, any grower can succumb to factors out of their control. Every season, you put everything on the line, taking a chance on a crop to make a profit — or lose it all. Like any gambler, you aim to stack the deck to ensure you’re not leaving success up to chance.      Shan Brooks, Atticus director, Florida & specialty markets/products, is no stranger to the risks you take season after season.      “Growers of specialty …
Specialty Crop Industry: USDA Announces More Than $243 Million in Grants
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today an investment of more than $243 million in grants to support specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts and nursery crops through two USDA programs – the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Specialty Crop Research Initiative grants program. USDA is investing $169.9 million through the Specialty Crop Block …
Making Sense of Biologicals: Sponsored Content
Biofertilizers encourage bigger vegetable roots By Clint Thompson Bigger is better when it comes to vegetable crop roots. Larger roots lead to greater exploration of the soil, where roots can capture more nutrients. A more robust root system leads to improved fertilizer efficiency and better crop quality. So how do growers achieve this kind of success? According to Mark Egan, …
Spotlight: Arthropod Pest Management in Conventional Strawberry Production
By Sriyanka Lahiri Thrips Crop rescue through a well-planned pesticide rotation program currently remains the most effective method of pest management in conventionally grown strawberries. However, close monitoring for pests should be conducted as the first line of defense, especially since most strawberry pests are not visible through unaided vision. Flower thrips immatures and adults can feed on the fruit …
Early Start: Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot Discovered in Georgia Field
By Clint Thompson It didn’t take long for Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot to rear its ugly head in Georgia strawberries. According to the UGA Extension strawberry blog, a Georgia strawberry field is confirmed to have the disease. Symptoms and presumptive spores of the pathogen have been observed. The infected plants were obtained from a nursery in Canada. Plants …
Political Divide: Politics Slowing Farm Workforce Modernization Act Progress
By Clint Thompson A Senate resolution to the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is much needed for the future of vegetable and specialty crop farming in Florida. There’s just no guarantee that one will be developed in the near future. Politics are playing a role in the process being slowed, almost to a halt, says Mike Joyner, Florida Fruit and Vegetable …
Sneak Peek: November 2021 VSCNews Magazine
By Clint Thompson The November issue of VSCNews Magazine highlights the upcoming Florida Ag Expo, which will be held on Nov. 18 at the University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. The Expo’s return is highly anticipated following last year’s cancellation due to COVID-19. The magazine outlines …
Watermelon Producer: Unknowns a Real Problem for Growers
By Clint Thompson The supply chain crisis that is gripping the U.S. is leaving watermelon farmers in a state of flux on how to proceed with the upcoming season. Florida growers are two months away from planting this year’s crop. Input costs and availability are on top of producers’ minds, says Lara Land, watermelon producer and executive council member of …